Preds Fall In Jacksonville

The Orlando Predators fell to the defending ArenaBowl Champion Jacksonville Sharks in their final away game of the season on Saturday night. The Predators lost, 30-48, to the Sharks, moving their overall record to 3-14 for the 2012 season.

Jacksonville received the football to start the game and were able to score on their first possession on a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bernard Morris to wide receiver Josh Philpart. Orlando was able to add a 35-yard field goal by kicker Mark Lewis on their first possession of the game. The Sharks found the end zone on their next possession on a five-yard touchdown pass from Morris to wide receiver Jamarko Simmons. After a missed extra point, the score brought an end to the first quarter with the Sharks leading, 13-3.

Orlando opened the second quarter with a missed 37-yard field goal-attempt, giving possession to Jacksonville on their own seven-yard-line. On the Sharks possession, Morris fumbled the snap and Predators defensive lineman JT Gilmore recovered, giving Orlando possession. The Predators were able to capitalize off of the turnover on a one-yard rushing touchdown by linebacker/fullback Marlon Moye-Moore. The Sharks marched down the field and scored on their next possession on a four-yard touchdown pass from Morris to wide receiver Jeron Harvey. The score brought an end to the first half and extended the Jacksonville lead, 20-9.

Orlando opened up the second half with a turnover-on-downs on offense, giving Jacksonville possession of the football on the Predators 10-yard-line. The Sharks were able to take advantage of the turnover by scoring on a one-yard rushing touchdown by Morris, making the score, 27-9. On the Predators next possession, Leak threw a pass that was intercepted by Sharks defensive back Terrance Smith. On the Sharks next possession, Morris fumbled his second snap of the game and Predators defensive back Travis Coleman recovered and returned the fumble 45 yards for a touchdown. The score brought an end to the third quarter, with the Sharks leading, 27-16

The Sharks scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on a two-yard rushing touchdown by Philpart, extending the Jacksonville lead, 34-16. The Predators answered the score with a touchdown, an 11-yard pass from Leak to wide receiver Jarvis Williams. On the following kick off, the Predators failed an onside kick-attempt, giving the Sharks good field position. The Sharks were able to capitalize off of the good field position with a six-yard touchdown pass from Morris to Harvey. On the following kickoff, the Predators fumbled the return and Sharks defensive back Daylan Walker recovered the fumble in the end zone for a Jacksonville touchdown. With under a minute left to play, the Predators were able to add a score, an eight-yard rushing touchdown by Leak, making the score, 48-30. The Sharks ran out the clock to end the game, handing the Predators their 14^th loss of the season.

The Predators were led statistically by quarterback Chris Leak. Leak was 17-25, threw for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Leak also had three rushes for 16 yards, and one touchdown.  Wide receivers T.T. Toliver and Glen Fox caught the bulk of Leak’s passes. Toliver caught eight passes for 103 yards, and Fox hauled in seven receptions for 62 yards.

The Preds were led on defense by defensive back Travis Coleman and defensive lineman JT Gilmore. Coleman notched nine tackles, recovered a fumble and scored a touchdown. Gilmore notched seven total tackles and recovered a fumble.

Up next, the Predators return to the Jungle for their last game of the 2012 regular season against the Milwaukee Mustangs on Sunday, July 22.This is the first and only time the Predators will face the Mustangs in the 2012 season. The 2:00 p.m. game will broadcast live on Brighthouse Sports Network and OrlandoPredators.com/Live.

WFTV